Bursaries galore as UKZN and J&J promote women in science

A relationship between the University of KwaZulu-Natal and New York-based multinational conglomerate Johnson and Johnson, has resulted in 26 female students at UKZN receiving bursaries.

DURBAN, September 8 (ANA) – The University of KwaZulu-Natal has joined forces with New York-based multinational conglomerate Johnson and Johnson to promote women studying in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics or STEM.

The initiative, dubbed WiSTEM2D (Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Manufacturing and Design), aims to increase the number of women that enter and graduate from undergraduate programmes with degrees in STEM,“ UKZN said in a statement dated Tuesday.

The Johnson & Johnson group has so far awarded twenty-six women in science at UKZN with bursaries.

The UKZN and J&J collaboration commenced last year with intentions to raise awareness of WiSTEM2D across the campus and high schools within the institution’s recruitment radar.

The university said the joint-venture was initiated through its schools of education, built environment and development studies’ architecture programme, mathematics and statistics, and the South African Research Chairs Initiative in the school of engineering.

As part of the initiative, more than R1.3 million has been provided to support programmes over the past two years aimed at attracting more female students into STEM. The programme also has a community outreach arm that aims to promote learning and skills development in order to attract female high school learners interested in the subjects.

“The collaboration focuses on bursaries to female students to support academic success in a range of areas across the STEM2D fields and the development of a model to increase women in STEM2D, using research generated by the bursary students,” said the director of sub-Saharan Africa at J&J Global Community Impact, Laura Nel.

UKZN vice-chancellor and principal Professor Nana Poku said gender equality challenges were a societal issue, adding: “the workplace is the ideal spot to educate the next generation and to empower the future generation of young women.”

Dean of the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science Professor Delia North said five students at master’s, honours and final-year levels had been selected to receive J&J bursaries.

“The girls will form the kernel of a Women in Analytics female ambassador team and act as role models and mentors to learners at school and at entry level to university. I am most appreciative of the generous sponsorship from J&J which has afforded these outstanding young ladies the opportunity to further their studies in 2021,” North said.

Bursary recipient Kerina Mothilal said she would use her platform to encourage and develop a love for mathematics and science in young girls in the schools she taught in. An architecture student Aphiwe Tshazi said being a woman in science was challenging yet rewarding.

“As I am among the first group of recipients, I plan to create a community for young women scientists in which they can explore and share their ideas and innovations in science,” she said.

– African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Stella Mapenzauswa